The Voyage Out

Willoughby’s ship, the Euphrosyne, is a symbolic setting of transformation and human connection. It is the vessel that takes people away from the comforts of England and embarks on a journey to the unknown. From the perspective aboard the ship, the land of England fades into the distance and the endless horizon of the ocean signifies the vastness of the world. The physicality of the ship is also important as its close confines lead to Human Connection Through Forced Proximity. With only a few people to speak to on board, the characters are forced into conversations they might otherwise have avoided. These conversations lead to Self-Discovery, especially in Rachel. Thus, the ship’s journey to Santa Marina is also a metaphorical journey from the known to the unknown, from certainty to uncertainty, and from stagnant personhood to character development. The ship is named after Euphrosyne, one of the three ancient Greek goddesses of good cheer. As complex as the journey to Santa Marina becomes, it is true that the voyage and subsequent character development spur new joys.